The New Democrats began the federal campaign Thursday with a pre-emptive strike against the Liberals before a scheduled leaders' debate on the economy.

The arrival of Joe Oliver's new NDP rival in a strategic Toronto riding has added a wrinkle to what was already a compelling local race: it's now a clash between former finance ministers.

The NDP is pitting a former Saskatchewan finance minister against the incumbent federal minister in the Toronto riding of Eglinton-Lawrence.